Daily Yellowstone journal., 1887-01-01
A CHOIR-SINGER.

4arle Prot, try as she mlght, could ma
only one side to the question OF her en-
gagement toSydney Worth; and that, un-
fortunately for the lover, was the mega
tive side.
Sydney, on his part, being a man, was
logical enough To take in all the bear
ings OF the case, and yet heroic enough
10 await Marie's decision with a o
age worthy ofs cause more sublime
than the yea or nay OF . brown-oycd girl.
In this trembling balance, however, was
hung this hope OF all earthly happiness,
while h. smoked his cigar and talked
and wa.Fld about the world - usual.
Take week, only a week, for calm
consideration" he had begged her, and
then proceeded to enhance her calmness
by daily letters of urgent pleading. His
eagerness harassed aud worried Marie
into a state almost of resentment, and
took from her much OF the responsibility
of her final action. 1t gave her some
thing TO light against, and armed her
with necessary tirmness. Whereas, If
he had thrown himself completely and
helplessly on her mercy, she would have
found it houbly hard to wiring his heart
by her decided refusal: but she would
have wrung il, all the same,
When her letter came at last, poor
Sydney kissed the dagger before he re-
oeived its stab-that is, he kissed her
handwriting, and then very likely a few
moments later dropped a tear or two in
the same spot. But the letter was
folded and put away, as such letters and
such poor and broken hopes are being
folded and put away all over the world
to-day and every day, and sydney went
about his business astonished and mis-
cradle at the heavy weight of his disap-
pointment.
But the days and years went on; sgd
ney SAT at his desk and made money,
and Marie sang in her church and gave
music lessuns, losing her youthful beauty
somewha', but gaining always in grace
and attrf ctiveness. She and Sydney
met occfs ionally as friends, and his eyes
still toll the amt old story that was
now forbidden Of all other expression.
As for Mss Prot, she net the usual eI-
perience that falls to the lot Of talented
and gracious woman. She had hosts Of
male friends, quite an array Of admir-
ers, and always one or two ardent low
ers who we're much in the same case as
Sydney hiInself-for it would seem even
to the most interested observer that
Miss Pirot's being. musical ana harmo-
NOUS as il was, had never yet responded
10 the master chord OF all-the chord Of
Love!
But al last, when the keynote Of
Mares destiny was struck, and its flood
of melody came pouring into her life
like an overwhelming tide, neither the
alto on one side OF her. nor the bass on
the other, nor even the ~organist. Lucy
Crumm, who was her bosom friend,
guessed that anything unusual had hap
pened.
IL came about IN this very common.
place way. Old Brande, the regular
tenor, was absent. Tor the first time in
seven wears, for the Tuesday night re-
hearsal. The choir had assembled. and
stood about, waiting and wondering.
and conltrring GA Mr.. Brandc's position
apart from all Other tenors on record by
the genuine surprise at his delinquency.
when there came suddenly up the choir
stairca-e Il tail and slim young man.
very fair. with lcnty OF flowing blonde
hair that hung in student fashion on his
broad white collar. He spoke with a
foreign accent, ia a high musical voice,
addressing Miss Prot, who happened TO
be nearest TO him, AS he approached the
organ.
"Nc. Brandt has sent me to sing-he
is too much i'll for this night, and also
for Sunday. he thinks. But if it is pleas.
ing. ] sing his part for ALL"
Miss Prot only bowed and smiled. but
did not speak. There was good reason
for her silence. She had fallen in love
with this young man. of whose existence
she hal been aware three seconds! II is
not to be wondered at that, in the con,
fusion Of her senses, she had, for the
moment, mislaid her voice.
$50 very glad said Lucy Crumm. all
animatiln, and treasured on the score OF
the quartette: "but so very sorry to hear
Mr.. brsnde IS i'll. Nothing serious, ]
hopei We were just wondering how
We should manage. You read, I sup
pose? NIr. Aiken, will you please hand
thanks. We intended to rehearse THU
quartetie. All along here is Mr.. Brande'
part-tbe tenors; the bass comes in mex
below; tut, Of curse. you understand
~oh, ~yeS-yes!'
He was already humming through thu
bars Of the music she had placed in hi
hand, like one sure Of his ground.
Miss Piroti'
Miss Prot started visibly, then walked
Over quickly TO her place, with a height
ened color. When had she ever before
needed a summons TO dutyg No one
appeared TO notice her embarrassment,
for all eyes were now fixed on the oper
book. and Miss Crumm's strong fingers
were pressing the keys.
.
-Of course | shall be glad when dear
old Brande is well enough TO come
back again, but I shall awfully hate Il
lose What's. his name2" Miss Crumm wa
observing. leaning on Miss Pirot's arm
o. the came down the choir-steps on
lovely Sunday morning, having suns
themselves into heaven for a while OF
Haydn's exquisite strains. ~Wayzel-
Wetzelf how do you pronounce it2 Hi
first name is Gustave-isn't il pretty
and such a voicel Dear me, I grudge 3,
let him gol Don't you